Wednesday, February 29, 2012

This is Rocky. His parents are not rich with money but Rocky is priceless. And the love for Rocky fills your heart in seconds.He brings happiness to all who meet him. Including me. He loved having his belly scratched and in the short time of knowing him, he made friends with ten other strangers too.I didn't have any money on me, so couldn't pay for a kiss. Instead filled their gas tank. They never asked for anything.

We all have experienced hard times. And some time we get distant and cold when we see people asking for money on the streets. But Rocky reminds us that not all are bad in this world.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

I never seem to have time to get to the bank, buy milk or fold the laundry. But for some reason I do have time to go to Goodwill. I grabbed these backgammon pieces, glued some magnets on them and in no time, I have a fresh new look to display art or sweet notes from my son's teacher. Bonus...They match the color of my fridge!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Bought this couch from an estate sale across the street. A retro three piece sectional. Wanted to save it because structure and fabric wise it was in perfect condition. But, bummer, underneath it was covered in mildew. Total yuk

With burlap found in bins for only $4.00, yeah, I totally freaked...10 yards too! And the perfect gray, soft as ever, my once couch in the driveway is now front row seating at home! Whatcha think?

Monday, February 20, 2012

Old Portland Hardware and Architectural is one of my favorite stops in Portland. Most of my vintage lighting and hardware was found here for my home. www.oldportlandhardware.comAnd they are having a SALE! Go to their site, meet the owner Bret Hodgert and you'll be hooked!

Plus Bret makes unique one of a kind light fixtures from whatever he can find. So darn talented...

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Am having a little fun going back and looking at some of my favorite DIY projects I have done for some local and national magazines and newspapers. I found this table at IKEA for $7.00 and with decorate tape from Tapeswell, (love them!) in just a few minutes I transformed a Plain Jane into a Sleek Silvia...

Friday, February 10, 2012

A favorite place of mine is Salvage Works www.salvageworkspdx.com It's a great source of building materials and collectibles, all at a great price. But there's a big bonus. The owner's also have a wood shop in back and can build you anything you want old of salvaged, reclaimed, and found wood. They are almost done with a table I designed for a client for their kitchen nook.

I tried to take off with these chairs, but have to wait cause they are being used as props for an upcoming home and garden show.

But I didn't leave empty handed. As I was leaving Salvage Works a company was getting rid of these chalkboards and coffee bean sacks...for free! I was so excited, jumping up and down. The guy "Joe" thought I was wacko! Take a look at his face!

I plan on donating some of the chalkboards and reupholstering two big comfy 1950's chairs with the the coffee bean sacks.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

There has to be compromises in a marriage. I say that every day, hahaha.An eyesore (of course through my eyes, not my husband's) is the TV in the living room. Not only is it HUGE, it's WAY up high. I asked him why he installed it so high? Answer, "I wanted to feel like I was at the Sports Pub. Good Gawd.

Anyway, being the Upcycle DIY gal that I am and not a fan of a black rectangle hanging from the wall, I decided to disguise the TV. I found an old map, bought it for its colors not for what it actually represented...Asia Natural Vegetation, and hung it from the ceiling.

I also layered dried hydrangeas to hide the cord hanging down the wall too. What I do to keep the marriage together!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

When building our home, The REX Project, (Reuse Everything eXperiment) www.shannonquimby.com/rex never in my wildest dreams would my chandelier I made with beer and wine bottles found in our laurel hedge get any attention other than my electrician scratching his head. But it has, French Glamour flew over from Paris, a big "you've got to be kidding! And my best friend ever, Joanne Palmisano's book, Salvage Secrets. Photo by the ever talented Susan Teares. PS, notice my fence falling down in the upper right hand corner? What should I DIY that into?

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Grocery Store Saga...No, no, I don't have time. I'm only here for milk, cereal, and fruit. But no matter how I control things, I can't control my grocery cart. It has a mind of it's own. I can't let go of it. It would look weird chasing an unmanned (is that a word?) shopping cart down the aisle. So I hang on and we always end up in front of the magazine section.OK, OK, I give in, grab a mag whose cover catches my eye, the latest Bedrooms & Baths http://www.facebook.com/cottagesandbungalows?v=info"Hey! My bathrooms are featured in here!" I shoot out and flash it to the woman next to me, who I can't happen to notice she's got her cart close by.Sadly I don't get the reaction I hoped for, cause she like me, only has a few minutes and is absorbed in the latest parenting mag.I snag it, buy it, of course show it to the check out clerk. He at least gives me a courteous, "that's nice".And run home and share with you. How did it get in the mag. From photographer Susan Teares and the book I contributed to, Salvage Secrets.Cheers!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Planning my next vacation means flipping through the pages of Today's Vintage magazine and deciding which antique auction, flea market, or antique show I want to go to. If time away from home doesn't involve finding old treasures, then what's the point? Here is my latest column too, oh how did that get in there.